“The Either/Or Conundrum” – how Arsenal’s midfielders’ limits are short-circuiting our success…
The Either/Or Conundrum Mistakes happen everywhere and football is no exception. No big drama, we chin up and move on. What makes it particularly difficult to process is its repetition, over time, as the concept of learning through experience doesn’t apply. We can accept the odd mistake, the brain fart that bears unpleasant consequences but […]
The Reasons why no European Football for Arsenal in 21/22 may not be a disaster
We currently sit in 10th place, 7 points off of the European places and in indifferent form. Depending on who wins the FA Cup, finishing 7th could get us back into the Europa League, but the chances of doing so are looking increasingly unlikely. Winning the Europa League brings with it the coveted entry into […]
Arteta can rotate a near fully fit squad and still win at Turf Moor
After a fascinating selection of midweek fixtures, which saw a selection of the side directly above Arsenal drop points, and after last week’s impressive away win against Leicester, the Gunners will be starting to dream again about chasing a European place in the League, ahead of their visit to Burnley tomorrow lunchtime. Whilst Sean Dyche’s […]
“The leader’s always by himself in a time of doom.” – The Final Days of Unai Emery.
This piece is part of a soon to be released work on Unai Emery. To borrow a quote from the intimidating Mike Tyson in Dark Trade, “The leader’s always by himself in a time of doom.” As was Unai Emery. In his final match as Arsenal manager, fans held signs calling for change, “EMERY OUT […]
Would you move Saka to accommodate the Pepe/Cedric Partnership?
Last weekend’s impressive performance against high-flying, although admittedly injury plagued Leicester, on the back of the comeback against Benfica, has understandably raised anticipation levels. For me, at least, this is not just about the performances of the team but the performance of the squad. Arteta raised the collective eyebrow of the fanbase with his multiple […]
The day I talked to the Quinn – Ireland and Arsenal Hero
I loved the mindfulness that transpired from every answer I got from Louise.During the thirty minutes I got to spend with her, she walked me through her journey from Ireland to Sweden, the brief and unfortunate spell at Notts County Ladies, her experience at the Arsenal and the fresh start in Italy, last summer.Now in […]
We see things THEY’LL NEVER see! – Arsenal is in our Blood
THE RETURN TO GUNNERSTOWN OF DB’S SEASON DIARY….. So here we are, on the eve of a crucial European second leg tie against Benfica, hanging in the balance after a 1-1 draw in the first leg. (If you are of a certain age, those very words will send a shiver down your spine!) […]
“You make me laugh!”: Inside Mesut Özil’s Fractured Relationship with Emery
This piece is part of a larger work on Unai Emery’s Arsenal tenure, which will soon be released… A magician on the pitch, Özil was an insanely talented Arsenal player but often inconsistent. A World Cup winner, the attacking midfielder possessed a tendency to alternate between incredible performances to then being known for, “going missing […]
Pepe and Willian shine as Arteta tactically outsmarts Rodgers at the KP!
The Arsenal set up 1) In possession Utilising the familiar 4-2-3-1, Arsenal were building through the thirds in a 2-3-5 shape. Cedric would initially remain deep, with Tierney deployed as an outlet through the left channel, allowing Willian to occupy the half-spaces. The 2-3-5 became a 3-2-5 occasionally with Elneny dropping in between the two […]
A Coaches Coach: how Arteta’s coaching skills ran the Foxes ragged
A coaches coach POSITIVES, NEEDS and HOPES I wasn’t really ‘Wenger Out.’ I wasn’t ‘Wenger In’, either. I was more ‘Wenger frustrated.’ I spent the post 2010 period largely frustrated. Whether it was the fact that we always seemed 2-3 players short of competing or the more pertinent point, that it became clear that he […]